Doctor reveals 'missed' early signs of prostate cancer in wake of Chris Hoy diagnosis

A doctor has revealed the early signs of prostate cancer that can 'often go missed' in the wake of Sir Chris Hoy's devastating diagnosis.

Britain’s most successful Olympian, 48, revealed his terminal prognosis at the weekend, after announcing in February that he had been diagnosed with cancer. The six-time Gold medallist said he had been given a life expectancy of between two and four years by doctors.

Now, a GP has shared one symptom of prostate cancer that is often overlooked - 'especially in younger people'. Posting in a video on TikTok, Dr Ahmed also shared a number other early signs of the disease to be aware of, Surrey Live reports.

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In the clip, Dr Ahmed explained Hoy had initially presented with shoulder pain, which he mistook for a gym injury – but this can often be the 'first presenting complaint' of the cancer. Back pain, shoulder pain and swollen lymph nodes can all be signs of the disease.

Unfortunately, these symptoms often mean the cancer has metastasised, meaning it has already spread to other parts of the body. This was the case for Hoy, whose cancer has now spread to his bones.

The GP added the most common early signs of prostate cancer are 'urinary', such as needing to pass urine more often, having blood in your urine or waking up multiple times in the night needing to go to the bathroom. However, he added these symptoms can easily be missed, especially in young people.

Other, but less common, signs of the disease include abdominal pain, tenesmus – the constant feeling of needing to empty your bowels or bladder, even if you already have – unexpected weight loss and 'any new constipation', according to Dr Ahmed. "Like all cancers, the earlier we catch it, the more it's curable," he said.

"For example, if we catch prostate cancer at an early stage, almost all men will be fully cured. However, if it's an advanced stage, only 28 per cent of men will become cured."

Prostate cancer is considered common – with one in eight men diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. It is more common in older men, particularly those aged 75 to 79.

According to the NHS, the disease usually develops slowly, and there may be no signs for many years. The condition is typically diagnosed using blood tests, a physical examination of the prostate, an MRI scan and/or a biopsy.

Treatment options of the disease at an early stage can include surgically removing the prostate or radiotherapy. Sir Chris, a dad-of-two, initially sought medical advice for a shoulder pain he assumed was a gym injury, only to be diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to tumours in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and ribs.

The athlete has been praised for his courage in speaking out about his terminal diagnosis, as it was revealed his wife Sarra, 40, is also fighting an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis.

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